Hand-rake.



No. 648,472. Patented Mayl, |900.

J. C. WALTERS.

HAND BAKE.

(Application filed Sept. 2B, 1899.)

.(Nu Model.)

nu: unnms PETERS w1 womLlTHo; wuMmoTDN. nc.

UNITED ySTATES PATENT l GFFICE.

JOI-IN C. IVALTERS, OF CANTRALL, ILLINOIS.

HAN D-RAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettera Patent No. 648,472, dated May 1, 1900. Application filed September 23, 1899. Seria-1 No. 731,487. (No model.)

.T a/ZZ. whom, it may conceive:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. WALTERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cantrall, in the county ofSangamon and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and use- -ful Improvement in Hand-Rakes, (Case No.

an improved cleaning mechanism, in combination with an improved lever mechanism for operating the same, whereby the teeth of the rake may be very effectively and quickly cleaned by the user.

In accordance with my invention I provide an auxiliary or cleaning device preferably comprising a cleaner head, cleaning-teeth each anchored at one end thereto and having their free ends projecting forwardly between the rake-teeth, the cleaning-teeth being disposed in a plane angular to the plane in which the rake-teeth lie, a spring for normally holding the cleaning-teeth and their head close to the rake-head, a pivoted lever located near the rake-head for depressing the cleaningteeth toward the points of the teeth of the rake, a sliding sleeve surrounding the rakehandle near the user-s hands, and a linkeX- tending longitudinally of vthe handle and uniting the said sleeve and lever.

In practicing my invention I preferably employ as the cleaning element a device in the form of a supplemental rake, this su pplemental cleaning-rake having two teeth for each tooth of the main rake and snugly inclosing the same to afford space between the cleaning-lingers, whereby the cleaner may be combined withthe rake without sacrificing any of the effectiveness of the' rake, as the space between the teeth thereof is not filled by the cleaning-teeth.

I will explain my invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which` Figure l is a perspective view of a rake construc-ted in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rake shown in Fig.

l. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section,`

of the rake shown in Figs. l and 2. Fig; 4 is a side elevation of a modification of my in'- vention.

Like parts are indicated by similarletters of reference throughout the dierent views.

The rake is of well-known construction, being provided with a transverse head ct, having a tang b for insertion within the rakehandle c. The rake-teeth cl project from the l,

rake-head transversely to the rake-handle. An additional head e is provided underneath the handle or tang, this head supporting a number of cleaning-ngers f, extending longitudinally of the handle between the fingers of the rake. Each rake-tooth is closely embraced by two cleaniug-teeth, so that the space between the points of the teeth and the head and the space between adjacent teeth is not entirely filled up, the matter that is rakedl up being capable of reaching the rakehead. Moreover, by placing the cleaning fingers or teeth close to the rake-teeth the matter is more readily cleaned away. The cleaning-teeth are each'anchored at one end to the head e, the other ends of the teeth being free and unconnected. The cleaningteeth are of sufficient length so that as the head e is moved toward the points of the raketeeth, as will hereinafter be set forth, the cleaning-teeth will not be withdrawn from between the rake-teeth.

The head e is mounted upon one end of a strip metal spring g, provided on the under side of the rake-handle and curving downwardly therefrom at its middle portion, said spring being anchored at the other end to the handle. A lever h in the construction shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3 is pivoted between its ends to th'e rake-handle near the rake-head. The lower end of theleverhis provided withan aperture 7J, through which the spring g is passed. The upper end of the lever h is connected with the link 7c, the other end of the link being connected with the lever-handle Z, which is preferably in the form of a sleeve surrounding the rake-handle. The connections of the link 7n Vwith the lever h and the handle Z are preferably pivotal. The lever 7L normally slants forward, with its upper end toward thejrake= head, in which position the lower end of the lever engages the spring g near its anchored end. With the lever and its connected parts IOO @ .being provided between the cleaning-teeth j 2" c i i j 648,472

in thisv position/'the springl g maintains the cleaning-fingers against the head of the rake.

In order to depress the cleaning-fingers toY clean the rake, the lever h is moved to a perpendicular position with reference to the handle, whereby the free end of the spring is depressed, together with the cleaning-'fingers supported thereby.- The movement ofthe le-- Y `ver h to va vertical position is accomplished restored to the position shown by a forward,

by drawing the lsleeve ltoward the user. After the rake has been cleaned the lever h is movement of the sleevel toward the rake,

whereupon the cleaning-teeth are restored to their position closeto therake-head by the springg. i f

In the modilication shown in Fig. 4 a bellcrank Vlever fm is .employed in place of the straight lever h. The lever m is pivoted at `its elbow tothe handle of the rake, the longer armof the'lever having separable engage'- ment with the cleaning member, while the 4shorter arm isconnected with the link The handle n in the'form kshown Vin Fig. 4 is pivotally mounted ,upon the rake-handle. By

' moving the handle nl toward the rake the longer arm of the bell-crank lever is engaged with the cleaner and depresses the same.

When the handle n is released, the spring g forces the cleaner back to its normal position.

`I do vnot wish to be limited to the precisel construction shown; but, l

Having thusd`escribed my invention, I-

claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following: v

l. Thefcombination with a rake-head, of la.

lplurality of teeth carried thereby, a plurality g -of cleaning-teeth, two cleaning-teeth being associated with and closely embracingV each rake-tooth, aspace being provided 'between .the cleaning-teeth disposed between adjacent `rake-teeth, anda vhead for supporting the cleaning-teeth, substantially as described. V2. The combination with a rake-head and a handle therefor, of aplurali'ty of teeth carried by the rake-.head extending transversely of the handle, a plurality of cleaning-teeth extending longitudinally of the handle,` two cleaning-teeth lbeingassociated with and closely embracing each rake-tooth, a space disposed between adjacent rake-teeth, and a head for supporting the cleaning-teeth,sub'

stantially as described.

3. The combination Witha rake-head and a handle therefor, of a plurality of teeth carried bythe rake-headextending transversely-of the handle, a plurality of cleaning-teeth eX- tending longitudinally of the handle, two

cleaning-teeth being "associated, with and vclosely embracing each' rake-tooth, a space being provided between the 'cleaning-teeth disposed between adjacent rake-teeth, a head for supporting the cleaning-teeth, a spring for holding the-cleaner-head close to the rakehead, and a leverl for depressing the cleanerhead against ythe forceof the spring, substanf tially'ias described.

4. The combination with a rake-head and a handle therefor, of a plurality of teeth carried by the rake-head extending transversely of the handle, a plurality of cleaning-teeth extending longitudinally of. the handle, vtwo cleaning-teeth being associated with and closely embracing each rake-tooth, a spaceY being provided between the cleaning-teeth disposed between adjacent rake-teeth, a head for supporting the cleaning-teeth, a curved strip metal spring g provided beneath the `handle ofthe rake and secured at one end thereto,the cleaner-head being mounted upon the free vend'of thespring, alever adapted Vfor engagement with the spring and thereby 1o depress thevfree end thereof to actuate the cleaner, and a lever-handle mounted upon the rake-handle for actuating the spring, substantially as described.

5. Fne com binar-ionwi'th a rakelhea'd and a v handle therefor', of a plurality of teeth carried lby the rake-head'extending transversely of the handle, `a plurality of cleaning-teeth extending longitudinally of the handle, a head for supporting. the cleaning-teeth, a curved strip metal spring g provided beneath the handle of the rake and secured at one end thereto, the cleaner-head being mounted upon the free `end of the spring, a lever adapted for engagement'wi'th the spring and thereby to -depressthe free end thereof to actuate the cleaner, and a lever-handle mounted upon .the rake4handle for actuating thespring, substantially as described.

' In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my namethis 19th day of September, A. D. 1899.

Y 'JOHN C. WALTERS. Witnesses: K.

EDNA W ALTERS,

' M. SHANKLIN.

vIOO 

